Coan, Rosen, Rutherford and Kell

Featured here are #133 Gil Coan, #135 Al Rosen, #137 John Rutherford and #138 George Kell. Rosen went on to win the 1953 AL MVP Award, and probably would be in Cooperstown today alongside Kell if back troubles hadn't ended his career when he was in his 30's.  I had written to Gil Coan in September but sent it to the wrong address.  When several weeks went by without a reply, I realized my error and contacted his son, who could not have been more helpful in helping me with my request.  

Garver, Dropo. Sisti and Lown

The featured cards include #112 Ned Garver, #121 Walt Dropo. #124 Sibby Sisti and #130 Turk Lown.  Garver and Lown I both acquired TTM for free.  Lown usually charges a $20 fee, but my card got so beat up in the mail that I guess he took pity on me and returned the money.  I keep meaning to send him a thank you note for that, and for his service in World War II.  That back of his card notes that he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.  I found an article here by Woody Paige about Lown, and when Paige asked about Lown's service, Lown shut him down.  That battle was 70 years ago this month,  

Morgan, Marshall, Dark and Sauer

These four are #85 Bobby Morgan, #95 Willard Marshall, #109 Al Dark and #111 Hank Sauer.  I got Dark and Morgan TTM in August, about three months before he passed away.  Considering that, he gave me a really good signature.  Continuing with the theme of bad players with good teams, Hank Sauer, who hit 288 career home runs, was coming off a season in which he hit .270 with 37 home runs (tied for league lead with Ralph Kiner) and 121 RBI en route to winning the 1952 NL MVP Award.  That's a pretty good career for a guy who didn't make the majors for good until he was 31. Him and Dark, the 1948 MLB ROY (the last year there was only one for both leagues) both probably lost Hall of Fame careers due to World War II.    

Minoso, Sievers, Brodowski, Robinson

These four are #66 Roy Sievers, #67 Minnie Minoso, #69 Dick Brodowski, and #73 Eddie Robinson.  All four were obtained TTM during the past few months.  Sievers and Brodowski signed for free, Robinson and Minoso both charged fees.  Those two took so long to get back to me that I'd written them off, so it was a pleasant surprise to get them back.  They each charge a fee of $10.  I've always thought that Minoso belongs in the Hall of Fame, and Sievers, the 1949 AL ROY, is the first man to hit 300 home runs and not make it in.  I've read that after he won the ROY award, the Browns tinkered with his swing and messed it up royally.  It took him the better part of five seasons to get back in the groove, and so that probably ended his HOF chances right there.

Groth, Zernial, Hatton, Scheib

The above are #36 Johnny Groth, #42 Gus Zernial, #45 Grady Hatton, and #57 Carl Scheib.  Groth and Scheib both were obtained TTM, and each charged $5.  The other two were purchased.  For a second-division team, the Philadelphia Athletics sure had a lot of talent: Zernial lead the AL in home runs in 1951, and consistently had over 100 RBI's each season, Scheib was a pretty decent pitcher himself, and they had Bobby Shantz, the 1952 AL MVP and Harry Byrd, who was the Rookie of the Year that season as well. 

Johnson, Atwell, Nixon and Noren

Next up are #21 Billy Johnson, #23 Toby Atwell, #30 Willard Nixon, and #35 Irv Noren.  Most of these were ordered online, with the exception of the Noren, which I got signed over the summer.  I'd heard he charged $5, he sent it back signed with a note saying it was $15 now.  One of the contributing factors to me getting the Nixon (aside from needing it for the set) was so that I can say I have Nixon's autograph.  I know the other Nixon is more famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) but it's tough to not like a guy who beat the Yankees five straight times from 1954 to 1955.  

Borkowski, Judson, Hitchcock and Lepcio

The first four signed 1953 Topps that I'll post are #7 Bob Borkowski, #12 Howie Judson, #17 Billy Hitchcock and #18 Ted Lepcio.  All except Hitchcock were obtained TTM during the summer.  Lepcio I had gotten ages ago at Autograph Alley in Fenway Park, so it was nice to get him again.  The Hitchcock I picked up from Brian over at Autographed Baseball Cards Unlimited.  Most of the stuff he has is in better shape than the one I have pictured; it came from his lowgrade list which is why the condition is so poor.  Still a very good pickup for $5.